p i “a caged bird can still sing” a n...“a caged bird can still sing” as i write this short...

7
PASSIONIST INDIA ACTIVITIES NEWS OUTREACH July-2021 Volume-8, Issue-07 P I A N O Dear Friends, Greetings of peace and joy! Hope you are all doing well. “A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28 th of July, the Catholic Church in India is observing this day as Naonal Jusce Day. It is a day to remember and pray for all those who cry out for jusce, and in a special way, it is a day to remember the legacy of Fr. Stan Swamy, S.J. who died while in judicial custody on the 5 th of this month. His crime? Refusing to be a silent spectator! He spoke against the growing inequalies, violence and atrocies commied against the most disadvantaged people of India-the Dalits and the Adivasis (the indigenous people). Fr. Stan was picked up from Bagaicha, the Jesuit Social Acon Centre, in the wee hours of 8 th October 2020 on the pretext of being a threat to the naonal security and for being acvely involved in the Maoist ouit banned by law, both of which were false accusaons. For more than 40 years he worked among the tribal people of Jharkhand whose lives and livelihood were being plundered by the rich, the powerful, the corporates and those in polical power. Obviously, he was a thorn in the flesh of those who had vested interest in the tribal land rich with mineral wealth. He had to be removed once and for all! The easiest way, slap him with the most atrocious law of the land, the UAPA, under which no one can get bail easily and they can be detained indefinitely. That is precisely what the NIA did, kept this frail 84-year-old priest suffering from Parkinson’s disease in custody, refusing even to give him a straw and a sipper. Despite the cruel treatments meted out to him in prison, they could not silence him. In a leer he wrote from prison to a Jesuit confrere, he highlighted the plight of the under-trials and ended the leer with the words: “But we will sll sing in chorus. A caged bird can sll sing”. Dear friends, as we remember this martyr of our mes, let us stand up for what we believe in. Our faith takes us to the One who endured the passion and death on the cross because he refused to remain a silent spectator. When asked why he always remained in silent reflecon in front of a monolith bearing the names of the slain tribal acvists, Fr. Stan used to say: “I pray that my spirit may be infused with the spirit of the Adivasi martyrs ”. So now, as we pay homage to him, let us pray that we too may be infused with the spirit of this martyr for Christ who sang of gospel jusce even while caged in in jail. I would like to conclude this reflecon by quong the words of an American writer, poet and philosopher, Suzy Kassem: Stand up to hypocrisy, because if you don’t, the hypocrites will teach. Stand up to ignorance, because if you don’t, the ignorant will run free to spread ignorance like a disease. Stand up for truth, if you don’t, then there is no truth to your existence. If you don’t stand up for all that is right, then understand that you are part of the reason why there is so much wrong in the world.” Fraternally, Paul Cherukoduth, C.P. Vice Provincial

Upload: others

Post on 09-Aug-2021

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

PASSIONIST INDIA ACTIVITIES NEWS OUTREACH July-2021

Volume-8, Issue-07

P

I

A

N

O

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace and joy! Hope you are all doing well.

“A Caged Bird can still Sing”

As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the Catholic Church in India is observing this day as National Justice

Day. It is a day to remember and pray for all those who cry out for justice, and in a special way, it is a day to remember

the legacy of Fr. Stan Swamy, S.J. who died while in judicial custody on the 5th of this month. His crime? Refusing to be

a silent spectator! He spoke against the growing inequalities, violence and atrocities committed against the most

disadvantaged people of India-the Dalits and the Adivasis (the indigenous people).

Fr. Stan was picked up from Bagaicha, the Jesuit Social Action Centre, in the wee hours of

8thOctober 2020 on the pretext of being a threat to the national security and for being

actively involved in the Maoist outfit banned by law, both of which were false accusations.

For more than 40 years he worked among the tribal people of Jharkhand whose lives and

livelihood were being plundered by the rich, the powerful, the corporates and those in

political power. Obviously, he was a thorn in the flesh of those who had vested interest in

the tribal land rich with mineral wealth. He had to be removed once and for all! The easiest

way, slap him with the most atrocious law of the land, the UAPA, under which no one can

get bail easily and they can be detained indefinitely. That is precisely what the NIA did,

kept this frail 84-year-old priest suffering from Parkinson’s disease in custody, refusing even to give him a straw and a

sipper. Despite the cruel treatments meted out to him in prison, they could not silence him. In a letter he wrote from

prison to a Jesuit confrere, he highlighted the plight of the under-trials and ended the letter with the words: “But we

will still sing in chorus. A caged bird can still sing”.

Dear friends, as we remember this martyr of our times, let us stand up for what we believe in. Our faith takes us to the

One who endured the passion and death on the cross because he refused to remain a silent spectator.

When asked why he always remained in silent reflection in front of a monolith bearing the names of the slain tribal

activists, Fr. Stan used to say: “I pray that my spirit may be infused with the spirit of the Adivasi martyrs”. So now, as we

pay homage to him, let us pray that we too may be infused with the spirit of this martyr for Christ who sang of gospel

justice even while caged in in jail.

I would like to conclude this reflection by quoting the words of an American writer, poet and philosopher, Suzy Kassem:

“Stand up to hypocrisy, because if you don’t, the hypocrites will teach. Stand up to ignorance, because if you don’t, the

ignorant will run free to spread ignorance like a disease. Stand up for truth, if you don’t, then there is no truth to your

existence. If you don’t stand up for all that is right, then understand that you are part of the reason why there is so

much wrong in the world.”

Fraternally,

Paul Cherukoduth, C.P.

Vice Provincial

Page 2: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 2 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

UPDATES

Fr. Francis is appointed as Superior of Calvary Ashram, Angamaly. Congratulations dear Fr. Francis and

Welcome Back to India. (Left Below) Retired Supreme Court Judge visited Palliport Community. (Right

Below)

AUGUST

Birthdays

Titus 02

Jerson 03

Einstein 06

Prem 06

Thomas 11

Saji 22

Christudasan 25

Antony Thomas 28

Ordination

Xavier USA 24

Feast

Assumption 15

Independence

Day

15

Bl. Dominic

Barberi

26

Fr. Paul Presided over the celebration of the Inauguration of the New Academic year

at St. Gabriel’s Minor Seminary, Kochi. (Above) Hearty welcome to Fr. Benson as he

joins Kochi Community as Vocation Director. (Right Below)

Page 3: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 3 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

Feast of St. Thomas the

Apostle was celebrated at

Jeevadhama. Fr. Paul presided

over the Eucharist and

conferred the Ministry of

Acolyte to Bros. Alphin, Don

and Christudasan, joined by

Carmelaram community.

Fr. Sony joins Jeevadhama

community on his sabbatical

year (Left & Below)

Jeeva Ootru Community and Fr. Louis (Vocation Director) welcomed William and Roshan, candidates

for Minor Seminary. Due to Covid situation the students will be staying at Randham for a short period of

time under the guidance of Fr. Rajan. (Below)

Page 4: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 4 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

Appointments and Transfers...

Fr. Paul visited St. Gemma

Novitiate, Nilambur and

Fr. Muthappan joined the

community as Administrator

who will pursue his M. Com

Studies (Left)

Fr. Jithin began his classes at

Dharmaram Vidya

Kshetram, Bangalore for his

Masters in Formation

Course. All the best. (Right)

Fr. Sebastian KX re-joined the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of

Health, Velankanni for Malayalam speaking pilgrims.

Fr. Paschal will minister to the Konkani speaking pilgrims and

Fr. Antony John will continue to assist for the Kannada

speaking pilgrims. All the best dear Fathers. (Above)

Fr. Sugun joined

St. Peter’s

Pontifical

Seminary,

Bangalore for his

studies of

Masters in

Canon Law.

Best wishes...

Page 5: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 5 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

THOM Vice - Province: On-going Covid Relief Works at Palliport

Fr. Paul visited the Palliport community and initiated the

on going Covid relief works. (Above)

Vaccination Camp organized by Passionist Congregation

at Palliport Parish in collaboration with St. Joseph

Hospital, Manjummel. 300 people were vaccinated with

their fist dose. (Below)

Study materials were distributed tot he School/College going students in the Parish at Palliport as the

on-going Covid Relief Work. (Below)

Page 6: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 6 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

Renovation works and Painting of the Church is going on at Sennatur, one of the substations of

Randham Mission. The finance was fully funded by the parishnors and the people were very generous

with their free labour amidst the trying times. (Below)

Thanks to the Members of MFC Missionaries from Bangalore for their generosity towards the

Second phase of Covid Relief works in Randham mission. The relief materials were distributed to the

poorest in the parish. (Above & Below)

THOM Vice - Province: On-going Covid Relief Works at Randham Mission

Page 7: P I “A Caged Bird can still Sing” A N...“A Caged Bird can still Sing” As I write this short note today, the 28th of July, the atholic hurch in India is observing this day as

Page 7 PIANO July, 2021 Volume-8, Issue-07

St. Thomas the Apostle, Vice Province, (THOM)

Congregation of the Passion,

Passionist Jyotir Bhavan,

Carmelaram, P.O. Bangalore - 560035.

Karnataka, India. Mob: +91-8129195929

Email ID: [email protected],

[email protected]

www.indiapassionists.org.

Verba volant, scripta manent!

THOM Vice - Province: On-going Covid Relief Works at Randham Mission

Educational help to the poor at Randham Mission.

Thanks to the Passionist and to the MFC

Missionaries, Bangalore for their contribution .

Most of these students are first generation of

Graduates in their family. (Above & Right)

Compound wall around the Church at Ladapady: The parishnors funding this work under the leadership

of Fr. Nambikairaj, a much needed facility for safe worship. Every family is contributing to this cause by

their little money and their free labour in this difficult time. (Below)